Tuesday: Fancy night in

Pan-Seared Scallops With Bacon and Spinach (recipe below) is a light and flavorful dish that could double as a first course for a fancy dinner. I’d serve it straight up for dinner with warm rolls or a tasty baguette.

Thursday: Press on

Make authentic Ybor City Cuban Sandwiches tonight, and that means no mayonnaise, lettuce or tomatoes. (Though who is to stop you from improvising?) The three-pork sandwich (ham, dry salami and roast pork) is grilled on Cuban bread with yellow mustard, Swiss cheese and a dill pickle slice. Not to worry if you don’t have a fancy sandwich press. Grill them on the stove with a heavy pan to press them thin. Serve with yellow rice, black beans and plantain chips.

Friday: Here’s the beef

New York strip steaks on the grill topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions. A classic baked potato on the side. Cold, cold Caesar on the side of that. Pop a bottle of my new favorite wine, malbec from Argentina. Hello, weekend.